Teetering

October 28th, 2011

On Tuesday I went to the doctor for my weekly baby check. I had on black leggings and a grey, black, and white printed top that is less than a dress but more than a shirt, and big enough to accommodate my 38.5 week belly. I paired it with my favorite grey patent leather stilettos. During my exam even my OB commented that my shoe selection was impressive for someone on the brink of childbirth.

I chose those shoes because they look nice with the outfit, but also because at this late stage of pregnancy selecting from my usual shoe wardrobe is one of the few things I can do that makes me feel normal. (I’m lucky that my feet don’t swell during pregnancy and that heels are even still an option.) But my pride took a dent when I came home that evening and happened across this article which shook its finger at me due to some apparent health risks of high heels.

Most of the risk to a woman’s health is from falling – twisted ankles and the like. Because I am so gazelle-like I don’t really worry about this. I’m kidding, though I do tend to be reasonably sure of foot in heels. And because I work an office job and spend most of my day sitting at either a desk or a conference table I also have less concern about issues of increased pressure on the balls of my feet. But maybe that’s a mistake. Maybe these risks are real and I should take better care of my feet and spine. This, however, brings me to an embarrassing objection…

High heels are so pretty and dainty. They make me feel so feminine. They make me taller. And they are a whole lot of fun!

Trivial reasons all, but somehow even for a health conscious and educated person they manage to factor in. The article comments that women wear heels for men, and I’m not so sure that’s always the case. I know GAP appreciates the added boost in height I get when I wear heels (he’s about a foot taller than I am), but beyond that I’m pretty sure he thinks my interest in shoes is pretty ridiculous (and mine pales in comparison to some women’s). I suppose I could get all giggly about new flats, but something about them just isn’t as exciting.

I care about shoes – heels in particular – because I like the way they look. I like the way they can be the finishing touch on an outfit. I like feeling a little bit fancy when I put a pair on. But I wonder if I should set aside some of these girlie notions and think more seriously about their health implications. I will spend most of the next three months in flats, sneakers, and shearling L.L. Bean slippers while I am nestled away on maternity leave. I think I’ll ponder this issue further then, but I have a feeling that I’ll be back in heels for my first day back to work in January. We shall see.

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on Friday, October 28th, 2011 at 5:00 am and is filed under Choices, Culture, Health.
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